Through April 29, Niagara University Theatre presents "Little Women," a musical based on the beloved book by Louisa May Alcott. Steven Braddock directs the production with choreography by Terri Filips Vaughan and music direction by Randy Andropolis.

Anika Loeffler, a student matriculating toward a dual degree from NU and the International University of Applied Sciences in Germany, recently received the Best Paper Award at the 2012 Korea America Hospitality and Tourism Educators Association Conference in Las Vegas.

Catholic Health and Mount St. Mary's Hospital and Health Center in Lewiston have signed a collaborative services agreement that will create a stronger working relationship between the two organizations and enhance health care services for residents throughout Niagara County.

The Black Pearl begins her third great season at noon on Saturday, May 26. The Memorial Day weekend will be busy, so it's time to call in reservations. Cruises will be available on Tuesday and Friday evenings, and all weekend.

The Niagara River Region Chamber of Commerce, Village of Lewiston and The Silo Restaurant, in cooperation with the Niagara River Anglers, will celebrate one of the region's most famous natural resources as they host the Lewiston Smelt Festival.

Local elected leaders joined Niagara County Refuse Disposal District Director Richard P. Pope and Sunnking President and CEO Duane Beckett at a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new eWaste collection site.

Congratulations goes out to Sanborn's Roger Drake, who won the recent www.wnypapers.com "Best Fish Fry" contest and received a $25 gift certificate to an area restaurant. He entered by voting for the restaurant he considered "king of the sea-food."

Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center held a ceremonial ribbon-cutting today to celebrate the completion of a half-million dollars in building renovations and technology and women's services upgrades at the Summit Healthplex.

Christopher Connelly has left Kinetic Kitchen and Bath to start a brand-new company - and he's partnered with his former business and marketing guru, Anne Daggett. The two have formed Buffalo Cabinetry of Western New York. BCI, and the duo's Bath Creations, will operate out of Payne's Carpet Outlet.

Beginning today, fans of Western New York music can cast their votes for Whiskey Reverb in the Hard Rock Rising contest. The Niagara Falls band is in the running for a spot on the 2012 Hard Rock Calling stage in London.

The Greinert family at 6962 Errick Road, Wheatfield, is continuing its 26-year Easter tradition of decorating its property for the holiday. Paul Greinert carries on the tradition started by his dad, Ed Greinert, former town supervisor, with a lighted cross, bunnies, floral wreaths, Easter baskets and more spread over two acres (as shown above).

Dunkin' Donuts will support efforts to cure muscular dystrophy, ALS and related diseases by collecting donations in its Buffalo-area restaurants to benefit the MDA through the "Make a Muscle, Make a Difference" campaign.

The initiative will run from April 8 through April 18 at participating Dunkin' Donuts restaurants throughout the greater Buffalo area.

The fourth annual "Run with the Rapids 5K Run/Walk" will be held on Saturday, May 19, in downtown Niagara Falls. This USA Track & Field-sanctioned race benefits the Downtown Niagara Falls Business Association.

Mount St. Mary's Hospital has announced that Dr. Sharmilee Thota has joined its staff of physicians and medical providers as it expands its maternity and gynecology services that it offers to the community.

The faculty and staff of Niagara Catholic Jr./Sr. High School, Catholic Academy of Niagara Falls and St. Dominic Savio Middle School recently attended a professional development day to discuss the transition of the seventh and eighth grade middle school students to the high school.

Niagara County Legislature Chairman William Ross (left) and Vice Chairman Clyde Burmaster (right) present a check to the Historical Association of Lewiston for the forthcoming War of 1812 Bicentennial commemoration.

The Chamber of Commerce of the Tonawandas is excited to announce that its Women's Expo & Boutique will return to the Tonawanda Castle, 69 Delaware St., City of Tonawanda, on Saturday, April 28. The event runs from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Former hairdresser Sally Benchik, 96, sparkles with humor as she pats the hairdo she had done for the party. F. Ray Collins, who will be 84 the day after Easter, still reports for work every day at Ray's Auto Electric.

Modern Corporation this week unveiled the latest addition to its growing fleet - split-body trucks. Geared to make local neighborhoods even more environmentally friendly, with split-body trucks Modern is capable of picking up both recycling and waste from residents at the same time, using only one truck.